Out of state TT build
 

Hi Z kids. Just wondering if anyone would put down their experiences with engine work completed at an out of state shop. I live in Virginia and am considering sending my car 1500 miles away for a short block + twin turbo build. I have someone local willing to do everything, but since prices are comparable across the board I figured why not send it to a shop that specializes in Zs etc. Ideally I want the out of state shop to do it, they have what I'm looking for hands down. I'm torn because that's just crazy far away, and I'm worried it will take months upon months. Also concerned about what happens after the car leaves the shop, in the fine tuning stages the few weeks or so after tt is installed. I've had friends get the best cam, head, sleeve, turbo work from well known shops and always had to go back at least once for something or another.

Also...this is a big factor, in that the car is currently sitting at my local tuner shop The local shop is great but its major advantages are basically that it is close to me and well known. They specialize in evos I believe, but are highly reputable and have done Z boost work before. The car hasn't been touched in several weeks, but it's there and I have been in talks with them for the short block install so *I assume* they're under the impression to do the work. This was informally agreed upon (i.e. no formal estimate yet) before the tt option came into play for me. It was only *Very* recently (like, days) that I realized I could make tt happen a lot sooner than originally planned - wasn't going to consider it for at least another year. What I'm getting at is, how inappropriate would it be for me to tell current shop, sorry I decided to go a different route? Bear in mind that I would still want to use them for future tuneups.

I would really appreciate any and all input. I've spent my fair amount of late hours on this forum but haven't come across too many detailed out of towner experiences. A few good stories would really help sway my decision. For the record I am currently leaning toward out of state, but I flip flop on that literally by the hour. Sometimes you just can't beat the convenience of having the shop five minutes away.

Please and thanks for your advice all my Z fam :)

I think that it is really all going to depend on the shop you intend to send it to.

Z1, Forged Performance, R/T tuning are ones that I would trust to send to. I believe GaleForce sent his Z from Canada to R/T. I would talk to him.

Sorry I should've included the shop info. Just wasn't sure if I should because I know both shops are on here haha. But oh well, gotta learn somehow. The local is Moore Automotive and the out of state is Forged Performance with the tt from Fast Intentions.

As a disclaimer, I've heard nothing but sterling reviews about all 3 of these vendors. The issue is distance and whether it is a better move for my money to send my car to a reputable Z specialty shop. FP is the only out of state option because they partner with Fast Intentions. Just wanted to know if there were any strong opinions on such a huge commitment of time, space, travel, etc. (not to be confused with actual time/space travel) ;)

I've been all over the FP site and threads, obsessing over the 1000whp 400z, again the issue is not at all quality of work, just curious about how people have felt having their car so far away for so long.

It really doesn't matter if it is around the corner or 2,500 mile away, once it is out of your hands it is out of your hands. I don't leave my car with anyone I don't trust, period. I attended ZDAYZ and I left my vehicle with Fast Intentions and due to issues with a transport company my Z, as well as two GTRs an Audi R8 were at Forged Performance for a month. I had no worries with them being there...I have also left my vehicle with SpecialtyZ on more than one occasion for a couple of months at a time and I only check in at two or three week intervals because it really doesn't matter, you either trust them to do the work or you don't.

All you can do is ask questions of the about the shop from the owner and customers about their service and then go all in. All the performance shops that have been mentioned to you do awesome work. I'm partial to Forged Performance not because they have done any work for me, but because I spent time with Sharif and his crew for almost a week and those guys rock. If they can't meet your expectations well your expectation need evaluating and I'm sure that goes for the other shop as well.

Good luck with your build.

very well put and helpful, thank you so much!

Your'e welcome...:tiphat:

I drove to R/T Tuning a couple years ago to get my car tuned. I was there the entire time. Good shop, well organized. They recently moved to a bigger location.

This past winter I sent my car to California from Toronto to Bulletproof Automotive to have a Varis kit installed and full color change paint work. Good experience there too.

To the OP, good luck with your search.

We are fairly local, do all of our engines in house(With MANY proven examples including 1000hp race engines and plenty of street cars) and have a pretty solid amount of experience with 370Zs and the Fast intentions Kit.


Would love to chat with you if you are interested at all. I will shoot you a PM. We even have a car with the FI kit installed at the shop currently if you would like to see it at all.


-Daelen

Where in virginia are u located? I could show u my fast intentions tt kit and u can go for a test drive :) im in centreville so if ur local hit me up. I also have a built short block.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Pm sent to my new favorite person :) haha

Not to mention they take care of Chris forsberg's car

+1 to a great local shop I have had good experience with.

I sent my car to LA from West Virginia and yea it's nerve wrecking but not because of the shop it's the transport companies that I would worry about but your about to spend an insane amount of money on something you want to be perfect so please don't let guilt play a role in your decision. Go with your gut and don't look back. If the local shop is as good as their reputation leads you to believe then they shouldn't hold a grudge because you went another way. Good luck Z sister! I'm really excited for you

thank you i'll be nipping at your heels soon :)